My Custom Tattoo: Tattoo Designs

Here is the question that I found posted over at Yahoo Answers and I thought it was pretty interesting.

“I’m 18. I’ve been thinking for a while about getting my first tattoo and I’m between a cherry blossom on my right shoulder blade(or right upper back, whatever you call it), or an anchor(more symbolic choice) on my left foot.
any thoughts?

Additional Details

1. i know i’m not gonna regret getting a tat because not only is it going to have meaning, it’s going to represent this stage in my life.

2. no, i’m not gonna have to worry about showing it at work.

3. i have a pretty high threshold for pain & i know the foot would be more painful but i don’t think that’s a reason not to do one there.

also i’m not getting this for a while. i’m waiting until summer, then i’m gonna get a henna tat of whatever i decide to see if i really like it.

Here is my response to the question.  There was a few other really good resposnes also.  Other then the occasional response of “you’ll regret it” a few people there took the time to really answer honestly.

So here is my response.

Let me just start by saying this is a question that you can really only answer by yourself as a tattoo is personal and as you already stated it represent this stage of your life.

However, with all of that said you seem to have already spent a great deal of time thinking about it and mulling over your choices which is good.  You also have a set location and a time frame in the future so you know it is not a rush decision.  You have done everything you can to come out with a tattoo that you are really going to love in the end.

I understand your wanting feedback in terms of the placement and design.

Both of the tattoos that you are considering have a rich tradition in the world of tattoos and also have fairly established meanings.  However, the reason that you get your tattoo and what it symbolizes about the stage in your life is really a personal choice also.

Some of the more traditionally meanings for the two tattoos are
Chery Blossoms – Are typically used in Japanese design motifs and tattooing.  Typically they symbolize great beauty, impermanence or the shifting of life.  The cherry blossom is often short lived and only displayed on the tree for a month in Japan.  It can also symbolize love between two people.

The Anchor tattoo of course is an old sailor tattoo.  It was typically a tattoo that a sailor would get after crossing the Atlantic their first time.  In the more ancient history or past the symbol was much like the fish and it was a symbol to show connection to the early Christian Church.  However, today it has become a symbol  for many in the Navy and sailors in general.  Also it is used pretty widely by tattoo artists for its traditional look at feel sort of a retro theme so to speak.

Those are some of the more common symbolism behind both tattoos.  Which one you pick should be up to you.

I personally could see the argument going either way.  The foot tattoo is apt to be more painful, yet you state you have a high pain tolerance.  The should tattoo might be less painful but it is also going to be more visible.  So there are positive and some down sides to either one.  I would probably go with the cherry blossom tattoo just because it is more unique and could be combined with a larger Japanese tattoo design at a later time if you chose.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 29th, 2008 at 2:35 am and is filed under Anchor Tattoo, Cherry Blossom Tattoo, Female, Female Tattoo, Female Tattoos, Feminine Tattoos, Foot Tattoos, Tattoo Designs, Tattoo Ideas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.